Bingzhongluo

　　   The Nu River rushes down from Tibet and makes a large bend around Bingzhongluo, creating a flat basin. It is also the largest plain along the Nujiang Grand Canyon within the Nujiang Autonomous Prefecture.

　　   This area is home to many ethnic minorities including the Nu, Tibetan, Derung, and Lisu, resulting in a multicultural and multi-religious society. Primitive totem worship coexists here with Tibetan Buddhism and Western Catholicism. Various religions live side by side and blend together, creating a remarkable religious spectacle.

　　   The Nu and Tibetan people here are known for their love of song and dance, making Bingzhongluo the land of music and dance in the Nujiang region.

　　   It is also famous for the Nu people’s “Flower Festival,” as well as customs and landscapes such as stone pancake making and slate-roofed houses.

　　   Located in the northern part of Gongshan Derung and Nu Autonomous County, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, it is 329 kilometers from Liuku, the prefectural capital, and 43 kilometers from Gongshan County. To the east lies Deqen County of Diqing Prefecture, to the south is Pangdang Township, to the west is the Dulongjiang Township bordering Myanmar, and to the north is Zayü County of Nyingchi Prefecture in Tibet. The township covers a total area of 823 square kilometers, with higher elevation in the north and lower in the south. It lies at the core of the “Three Parallel Rivers” region where the three great mountain ranges of northwest Yunnan — Gaoligong, Nu, and Yunling — intersect with the three rivers — Nujiang, Lancang, and Jinsha — forming an upside-down “川” shape. The Nu River runs from north to south through the entire area. To the east is Biluo Snow Mountain, to the west is Gaoligong Mountain, with the river sandwiched between the two, forming a distinct high-mountain gorge landscape.

　　   Within Bingzhongluo, there are three national 4A-level scenic spots: the First Bend of the Nu River, Shimen Pass, and the Bingzhongluo pastoral scenery. There are also two first-class, six second-class, and three third-class scenic spots approved by the provincial government. Bingzhongluo is roughly quadrilateral in shape, with higher elevations in the north and lower in the south. The highest peak is Gawagap Snow Mountain at 5,128 meters, which is snow-capped year-round. The lowest elevation is 1,430 meters at the river surface where it meets Pangdang Township. The township seat, Bingzhongluo Basin, sits at 1,750 meters above sea level and is a rare open plateau deep in the Nujiang Gorge, covering about 15 square kilometers. Surrounded by mountains, the basin is divided into three main sections by the Nianwaluo and Gemaluo rivers. The surrounding cliffs are mostly composed of jade-like rock. To the south is Gongdang Sacred Mountain, and to the north is Shimen Pass, the two standing opposite each other like a pair of lovers who “promised to meet but never did.” The Nu River enters Bingzhongluo from the deep valley of Qiunatong in the north, then winds its way southward until reaching Dalai, forming several winding bends. The largest of these bends, at Kan桶, is known as the “First Bend of the Nu River.”

　　   Bingzhongluo boasts a unique and spectacular natural environment. Its special geographical location creates the rare phenomenon of two sunrises and two sunsets in the southern part of the area. On the morning of the winter solstice, the sun slowly rises above Biluo Snow Mountain. It travels across the narrow sky for less than two hours before quickly setting behind Gongdang Sacred Mountain in the southwest of Bingzhongluo. Half an hour later, the sun peeks out again from behind Gongdang, casting a道歉-like glow, before finally setting behind Gaoligong Mountain half an hour later. This creates Bingzhongluo’s unique spectacle of two sunrises and two sunsets in one day.

　　   At the northern end of the Bingzhongluo plateau, Gaoligong Mountain and Biluo Snow Mountain run alongside the river. Two sheer cliffs rise vertically from the riverbank, stretching straight up into the sky, forming a massive stone gate over 500 meters high and nearly 200 meters wide. The Nu River bursts forth from this gate and rushes down. Locals call it Nanli Wall, but based on the terrain, it has also been given a vivid name — Shimen Pass. Shimen Pass is not only majestic, rugged, and solemn, but also home to many fascinating folk legends. It is also a vital route for travel between Yunnan and Tibet. In the early 1950s, soldiers of the 126th Regiment of the People’s Liberation Army entered Tibet through this pass to defend the sacred territory of the motherland, promote ethnic unity, and advance social progress.

　　   “Buddha’s Light”

　　   Bingzhongluo is also one of the few places where you can witness the rare “Buddha’s Light.” The area features a diverse climate: you can enjoy snowscapes in winter, wildflowers in spring, pastoral views in autumn, and riverscapes in summer. Gawagap Snow Mountain remains snow-capped all year.

　　   Rich flora, fauna, mineral resources, and market trade: Bingzhongluo is abundant in plant and animal life. Major tree species include Yunnan pine, oil fir, Qingfeng, Yuanjiang oak, as well as large-leaved vaccinium, fragrant whiteberry, Chinese mulberry, litsea, and large-flowered rhododendron. Ground cover includes ferns, cogon grass, golden beard grass, fineleaf aster, devil’s claw, cogongrass, yellowback grass, and various orchids. Economic trees include tung oil tree, lacquer tree, chestnut, walnut, apple, peach, plum, papaya, plum, and citrus. Animal species include the red panda (golden dog), bear, takin, and snow pheasant, among others. There are also vast alpine grasslands highly suitable for livestock development.

　　   The Gemaluo River in Bingzhongluo is rich in gold. A few years ago, people still panned for gold here. On the mountainside of Zhongding Village, about 100 meters above the river, there remain three abandoned gold mine sites. Not far from there, Kan桶 Village at the First Bend of the Nu River is also famed for its production of placer gold. The stone cliffs around the Bingzhongluo Basin, such as Shimen Pass and Gongdang Sacred Mountain, are rich in “mutton-fat jade.” “Mutton-fat jade,” fine and smooth as congealed fat, is unique to Gongshan and considered a rare variety.

　　   Due to its unique geographical location, Bingzhongluo has become an important center for market trade and commerce in northern Nujiang, as well as a transit hub and distribution point along the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Merchants from Bingdi transport goods here, some exchanging them for mountain products and herbs, while others carry them onward via the Ancient Tea Horse Road to Tibet.

　　   Bingzhongluo is a national scenic area where Eastern and Western religions intermingle, multiple faiths coexist harmoniously, and where unique natural landscapes, rich biodiversity, and mineral wealth abound. It features distinctive cultural elements, multi-ethnic harmony, and diverse architectural styles. Due to its remote location and limited transportation, it remains a pristine paradise — a utopian haven for both humans and gods. With continuous investment and support from national, provincial, prefectural, and county governments, transportation and accommodation conditions have steadily improved. The hospitable people of Bingzhongluo, known for their simplicity, ethnic harmony, unity, equality, mutual assistance, integrity, kindness, and warmth, welcome all travelers yearning for a paradise on earth to visit Bingzhongluo and experience a divine-human coexistence and earthly paradise unlike anything found in urban life or other tourist destinations.